Joseph du bois



(No Model.)

' J, DU BOIS.

v FENCE. No, 250,508. Patented Dec. 6,1881.

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, WITNESSES I V'EJV'TOR WW I 4 I H .Attorney STATES PATENT Orrrca.

JOSEPH DU BOIS, OF WAVERLY, NEYV YORK.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,508, dated December 6, 1881, Application filed October 12, 1881. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH DU BOIS, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Waverly, in the county of Tioga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fencing; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference bei g had. to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to construct a fence in sections of one panel each, having rigid posts provided with a base consisting of a rectangular box, to be filled with a ballast, which can be readily transported from place to place and erected at any desired point upon even or uneven ground without necessitating post-holes; also, to suspend and connect the several sections at the top of the posts, whereby the panels are capable of a vertical motion independent of the posts, enabling them to readily adapt themselves to inequalities of the surface; also, to provide an open space between the opposing surfaces of the battens and rails for the free circulation of air, and to prevent rottingfrom moisture; also, in certain other details of construction hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, representing two panels of slightly different form, but both constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a section of my fence, showing the relative position of the panels to the post when on uneven ground. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section through the line a; w of Fig. 1, showing the open space between the contiguous surfaces of the rails and battens.

In constructing my improved fence I first provide rigid posts A, firmly fixed in a base, B, consisting of a rectangular box, designed as a receptacle for stones or other suitable ballast, and. similar in construction to that shown in my fence patented May 31,1881, upon which this is designed as an improvement. This box is intended to rest upon the surface of the ground, having its longest side at right angles with the fence. The panels are composed of two or more horizontal rails, G, secured at equal distances apart by vertical battens D or pickets E, and are united and connected with the posts by a pin or bolt, a, passing through the ends of the top rails of each and the top of the post. The bolt to serves as a pivot to suspend the panels and permit a vertical motion, when required, to adapt the fence to uneven ground, as shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the rails are confined to the posts and the panels prevented from swinging loose at the bot tom by the vertical strips F, secured to the posts by the pins or bolts to a, leaving a sufficient space between them and the posts to accommodate the overlapping ends of the rails O (J.

The method of constructing my fence is as follows: I first place the rails O in proper position upon a flat surface, interposing between the rails and such flat surface a piece of iron, a strip of boiler-iron being found generally most convenient. I then place the battens or pickets upon the rails at suitable distances apart, first interposing between them and the rails an iron or steel rod of the desired thickness to correspond with the open space desired between the rails and battens. I then firmly secure the battens to the rails by malleable or wrought iron nails driven through the picket and rail, one on either side of the iron rod,

which are firmly clinched by the strip of iron beneath the rail. 1 then withdraw the rod, leaving the open space between the rail and picket or batten,for the circulation of air, without the necessity of using washers or staples, as described in my former patent. The battens or pickets nearest the posts and anchorboxes are shorter than the intermediate ones, so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the panel; but the others are permitted to extend sufficientlyncar the ground, when in an upright position, to makca close and tight fence.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s

1. A fence formed in sections composed of horizontal rails held parallel with each other at suitable distances apart by vertical battens or pickets, and united and suspended by a bolt passing through the ends of the top of the panels and through the top of a rigid post provided with a base consisting of a. rectangular box, to be filled with ballast, substantially as described.

2. A fence-section composed of horizontal rails or girts held parallel with each other by vertical strips or battens firmly secured thereto, so as to leave an open space between the rails and battens for the circulation of air and evaporation of moisture, substantially as described.

3. The method of providing an air-space between the opposing surfaces of the rails and battens of a fence section, constructed as described, without the interposition of Washers or staples, by first interposiug an iron or steel rod between such surfaces, then firmly uniting the rails and battens by malleable nails, and then withdrawing such rod, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH DU BOIS.

Witnesses:

A. O. BARRON, J. B. FLOYD. 

